Chennai
Anakaputhur is among the 16 municipalities of Chennai and is spread over four sq km, with 402 streets. After the work on Anakaputhur Water Supply Improvement Scheme was initiated recently, the digging work to lay the supply lines is progressing at various parts of the municipality, for which the private company that has undertaken the work has deployed earth-movers and other heavy equipment.
The digging up of roads has been causing a lot of hardships to commuters and residents alike. According to many of them, they were not informed of the digging, and hence could not move vehicles out of their residences in advance. “We are finding it difficult to bring out even our two-wheelers as there is a huge pit in front of our apartment,” K Sriram of Balaji Nagar 12th Street said. He said, “if the authorities had given us prior information, we would have been better prepared.”
A senior official from Anakaputhur municipality said the scheme that has an outlay of Rs 13.5 crore was sanctioned by the 130th Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee of the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). “At present, pipe-laying work is going on. Therefore, the digging has to be done simultaneously. Moreover, we had given notice to all residents,” the official claimed, adding the work would be over in a month.
S Balaji, a resident of Pasumpon Nagar in Anakaputhur area, said the officials often do not bother to set right the roads after laying the pipes. “The roads are uneven, with huge chunks of mud and rock scattered all along. It is extremely difficult for two-wheeler riders to negotiate some stretches, especially at night,” he said.
He said some streets were totally cut off from the rest of the place due to the digging work. “We have already given a petition to the officials seeking taking up work in phases. This will give people some time to prepare,” Balaji said.
A municipal official said the water project had been designed for 30 years. “The project will be very useful for the people and they have to cooperate with us for its smooth implementation,” he said.
If you notice any civic issues unattended by authorities, please write to us with a photograph at
citizen.dtnext@dt.co.in
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android